Signs of spring were everywhere at the Cobble today. Spring could be felt in the warmer air, the songs of birds above our camp, and the small drops of water clinging to budding branches.
Our day began with a fun morning circle with the Cobblers; we took some time to feel into our bodies and tune into our surroundings, and then played an awareness game of guessing who the secret hibernator in the group was after that person started putting people to sleep!
We started off to our campsite right after morning circle and made our way up a melting path and over the small stream. Our campsite had experienced a makeover sometime during the week and now had a beautiful tarp up to keep us dry.
After snack, we shared three awareness exercises inspired by unique characteristics of animals. The first is owl eyes, where we practice expanding our peripheral vision.The second is deer ears, where hands are cupped near the ears to enhance sound and show its direction. The last is fox walking, where we take great care in placing each footstep so we can move as silently and smoothly through the landscape as possible.
The Woolly Bears were no-nonsense when it came to practicing these special skills. They came in handy during a game of “Blind Ninja” and afterwards, when we decided to use sneak up and surprise the Cobblers.
On the way to the Cobblers’ campsite, we walked through a beautiful old farm field and started noticing treasures from last autumn, including dried flowers and “butterballs,” or Goldenrod Gall fly larvae. The larva grows in nut-shaped galls found on goldenrod stems and, through a relationship between the fly and plant, remain protected even through the coldest Northeast winters. They are safe to eat and taste a little like butter. Chickadees and woodpeckers also enjoy them as a snack during the winter.
We decided to collect the galls as a gift for the Cobblers. We carried them on our sneaking mission where we fox-walked and hid behind trees, practicing silent awareness and listening. Finally when we were pretty close, we jumped out and yelled boo! The Cobblers were very happy to see us and receive a bandana full of butterballs.
Along the way back, we found a forest jungle gym in the roots and trunk of a downed tree and had a great time climbing on it.
During lunch, Julie told a funny and meaningful story about minstrel seals and letting what is beautiful remain beautiful.
After lunch, we shared a few tasks, including tending to our campsite by pouring wood chips around the fire pit and making toys from birchbark, yarn, and beads. It was a great day shared with a group of wonderful Woolly Bears.